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Inwood's history
Get to know Inwood's rich history! From Lenape footsteps to revolutionary echoes, 19th-century charm to today's vibrant culture. Let’s uncover the past, embrace the present, and let the streets tell their tale
01
Lenape Native Americans
Inwood's early days saw the land inhabited by the indigenous Lenape, also known as the Lenni Lenape and Delaware people. The Lenape relied on both the Hudson and Harlem Rivers as sources for food.
According to the legend, the Lenape, sold Manhattan to Peter Minuit, the Director-General of New Amsterdam, who acquired Manhattan Island in 1626 for trinkets and beads valued at around 60 guilders. This historic moment is commemorated by a plaque within Inwood Hill Park, the last surviving natural forest in Manhattan,
02
Revolutionary War
The neighborhood played a pivotal role as a key battleground during the American Revolutionary War. It hosted an encampment of over sixty huts, which were inhabited by German Hessian troops within the British army, stretching from 201st to 204th Streets. The camp was discovered in 1914 by local archeologist and historian Reginald Bolton after a series of digs around the neighborhood.
03
19th century
Inwood retained its rural character until the late 19th century, and this persisted well into the early 20th century. The arrival of the 1 train in 1906 spurred apartment building construction along Broadway's east side. By the 1930s, the A train reached Dyckman and 207th Streets, prompting development of large estates west of Broadway.
04
Today
Throughout a significant portion of the 20th century, Inwood's demographic makeup was largely characterized by its Irish and Jewish communities. However, in the 1980s, a notable shift occurred, with a predominant Dominican population emerging. As of now, Inwood proudly boasts the highest concentration of residents with Dominican heritage in all of New York City.